“Take this outside and shoot it.”
“Put this writing out of its misery.”
“Did you really think I’d like that?”
Just a sample of editorial advice I’ve received on my writing.
Nice, huh?
No tears were shed. As a professional writer, I know by now that the key to successful writing is having thick skin.
I may have rolled my eyes though.
I developed thick skin during grad school workshops where classmates shredded my words with their criticism.
I developed thick skin as professor after professor turned down thesis after thesis I wrote—that’s 600+ pages of thick skin.
I developed thick skin when I entered marketing, where the product’s success is more important than my fluffy words or feelings.
Thick skin is what you need to stay in the game of writing. So how do you get that thick skin?
Separate Yourself From Your Work
Your writing is not you. It is work that you have created, but it is not your flesh and blood. Forget that you’re the one who wrote the writing.
When the edits come back, consider all the suggestions objectively. Do all that you can to improve the piece as if the writing was handed to you for the first time. Choose what’s best for your writing, not your ego. That’s how you become a better writer.
Don’t Expect First-Time Perfection
Think your draft is flawless? You’re just setting yourself up for failure. Instead of 100%, aim for 10%.
That’s a really low number.
You should be ready to take on edits and suggestions. Being so close to the writing, you’re bound to miss something so face-palm obvious. Aim to write a flawless final version instead.
Writing = Collaboration
Think of your draft as a collaboration starter. You start the piece, then the editors add their ideas and suggestions. That’s when you go back and make their suggestions your own.
Writing is a team effort. You are the team leader. What do you bring to the writing?
I’m sure you’ve heard some quotes that match mine when it comes to others editing your writing. Share them below. How have they made you a better writer?